The World War II Research and Writing Center is pleased to announce the publication of four new World War II Quick Guides, available on the Kindle! Are you ready to start Finding the Answers to your World War II questions?

World War II research is surrounded by stories and myths which often give people the perception they cannot obtain any information about military service.

Have you heard, ‘All the records burned!’

Have you read on a website that you must be the next-of-kin to receive information?

Do you think sending in one form to request records gives you everything available?

Do you know there are additional records at NPRC, that staff will not search for you, that are required for Army and Army Air Forces research?

Do you think starting your search in unit records will provide all the answers?

Did you know there are many records available you can obtain by visiting the archives or hiring a research firm like mine? Records the archives will not search for you to reconstruct service history?

If records exist, what is the problem? Why haven’t researchers and family members been able to reconstruct service history easily on their own? The problem is, any books or guides produced by military museums, archives, libraries, and other groups, talk only about the fire, what you cannot get, and a few major record sources. Usually these materials stress searching unit level records, which is not the place to start research. None of these guides explains through a process, how to use other resources and records to reconstruct service history for all branches.

In this guide you will learn everything you need to know to start your World War II research, even if the records burned. Armed with the information you discover, you can find the answers to your military research questions.

Finding the Answers. This is what each person who starts WWII research hopes to accomplish. We often begin with many questions, to which answers are often elusive. This is often the case when those questions concern those who died in the war or are still considered Missing In Action (MIA).

Who do we ask about our family member’s service, especially when most of our WWII-era family members are gone? What records exist to help find the answers? The Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) is the most important file you need to help you find the answers to your questions regarding those who died in service. The IDPF documents the death, and temporary and final burial details, of WWII service members from all military branches.

This quick guide introduces you:

What the IDPF is and is not.

To the questions about military service and death you may be able to answer through the pages of this file.

Finding the Answers. This is what each person who starts WWII research hopes to accomplish. We often begin with many questions, to which answers are often elusive. The most logical place to search for answers to our World War II questions is online.

There is a common misconception that all military records exist online. While many records are digitized and placed on line each day, the fact is, most of the records required are in paper format in repositories and archives. Requiring records that exist only on paper may leave you wondering, what can I find online? How can I find information easily?

This quick guide introduces you to:

Reasons to research WWII service online.

What records may be available online.

Techniques to make searching easier.

A research form to track websites you’ve visited.

A sample of websites on which you can find information.

Checklist of specific databases and indexes.

Where to go to learn more.

Are you ready to Find the Answers about your family’s military service online?

Finding the Answers. Are you seeking answers to questions about your family’s female World War II service member or civilian worker?

Women played crucial roles during World War II after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Men felt an obligation to join the military and rushed to enlist. Enlistment and later the draft, required men to vacate jobs on the home front. As a result, women were recruited and trained to take over jobs left by men. The military also began programs for women to volunteer to aid the war effort, or in some cases, join the military as enlisted personnel and officers.

This quick guide introduces you to:

A brief history of the shift of roles women played at home and in service.

Histories of the components of each military branch in which women served.

Army: Women’s Army Corps (WACs), Army Nurses, Army Air Forces – Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) and Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS).

Tips for locating information to begin a search for records with checklists.

Are you ready to start searching for information on your female service member?

Coming soon!

Finding the Answers:World War II Travel in Europe

Finding the Answers: Researching World War II Army Service

Finding the Answers: Researching World War II Army Air Forces Service

Finding the Answers: Researching World War II Navy Service

Finding the Answers: Researching World War II Marine Corps Service

Finding the Answers: Researching World War II Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Service

Researching your service member’s history can be complex. The World War II Research and Writing Center provides expert research experts to tackle your most challenging research questions. Contact us at info@wwiirwc.com for project details and costs. We have researchers on-site at the National Archives facilities to obtain materials within a few weeks, and a network of researchers and tour guides around the globe.